Stanford's Love heads list of preseason Heisman contenders

Wednesday

Stanford running back Bryce Love's decision to return for his senior year instantly made him a preseason front-runner for some of college football's top individual awards.

Love won the Doak Walker Award as college football's top running back and was runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting last year as he rushed for 2,118 yards. He's an obvious candidate for both awards again this year, even though he will have a tough time matching his production from last season.

"I had a good chance to talk with Bryce, to talk about (how) this year can't be about stats," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "He broke a lot of records last year, did some phenomenal things last year. This year's about him getting bigger, stronger, being more versatile, different things, adding to his game. We're not going to do the Bryce Love stat watch."

Love is among several players to enter the season as contenders to earn hardware this season. Here's a rundown of potential candidates for some of college football's top individual awards.

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HEISMAN TROPHY (top overall player)

" Bryce Love, Stanford

His 2,118 yards rushing last season ranked second among all Football Bowl Subdivision players , behind only Seattle Seahawks first-round draft pick and former San Diego State star Rashaad Penny.

" Khalil Tate, Arizona

As a versatile quarterback who can beat defenses with his arm and legs, Tate fits the profile of many other recent Heisman winners.

" Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Taylor finished sixth in the Heisman balloting last year and set an NCAA freshman record by rushing for 1,977 yards.

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DAVEY O'BRIEN (top quarterback)

" Will Grier, West Virginia

Grier threw for 317.3 yards per game last season and was the media's choice as Big 12 preseason offensive player of the year.

" McKenzie Milton, Central Florida

Milton finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting last year while leading UCF to a perfect season.

" Khalil Tate, Arizona

Tate rushed for 327 yards in one game last season and ran for over 200 yards in two other contests.

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DOAK WALKER (top running back)

" J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State

Dobbins rushed for 1,403 yards and gained 7.2 yards per carry as a freshman last season

" Bryce Love, Stanford

Love will try to join former Texas star Ricky Williams and former Arkansas standout Darren McFadden as a two-time winner of this award.

" Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Taylor was one of three finalists for this award last year.

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BILETNIKOFF (top receiver)

" A.J. Brown, Mississippi

Brown caught 75 passes for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns last year as an AP All-America third-team selection.

" N'Keal Harry, Arizona State

Harry had 82 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.

" David Sills, West Virginia

Sills caught 18 touchdown passes last season to tie for the FBS lead and was a finalist for this award.

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OUTLAND (top interior lineman)

" Ed Oliver , Houston

Oliver won this trophy last year and also was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy given to the nation's top defensive player.

" Christian Wilkins, Clemson

Clemson's defensive line is so fearsome that all four of its projected starters made the preseason all-Atlantic Coast Conference team.

" Jonah Williams, Alabama

Williams will try to become the fourth Alabama player in the last 11 years, joining Andre Smith (2008), Barrett Jones (2011) and Cam Robinson (2016).

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BEDNARIK /NAGURSKI (separate awards given to the top defensive player)